It’s set to be an explosive week in Walford as EastEnders gears up for one of its most anticipated storylines of the year. With the dramatic return of Max Branning, a surprise wedding, and a string of showdowns and secrets, the Square is bracing for a storm that will leave no resident untouched. The latest episodes, airing from Monday, September 29 through Thursday, October 2, 2025, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, promise a blend of emotional reunions, family drama, and criminal intrigue that fans won’t want to miss.
After weeks of speculation and mounting excitement, Max Branning (Jake Wood) makes his long-awaited return to Albert Square. His reappearance couldn’t come at a more chaotic time, coinciding with his daughter Lauren Branning’s (Jacqueline Jossa) surprise wedding to Peter Beale (Thomas Law). According to Radio Times, Peter orchestrates an elaborate proposal at The Queen Vic, transforming the iconic pub into a wedding venue and dropping to one knee in front of a stunned Lauren. While Lauren reluctantly agrees to Peter’s proposal, she’s clearly overwhelmed, and her nerves only escalate as the big moment approaches.
But the surprises don’t end there. As Lauren prepares to walk down the aisle, Max’s sudden entrance sends shockwaves through the gathering. Both Lauren and her cousin Penny Branning (Kitty Castledine) are left speechless, while other locals, including Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) and Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan), look on in disbelief. The emotional tension is palpable, and it’s clear that Max’s return is about to upend more than just the wedding festivities.
In true EastEnders fashion, Max’s presence stirs up old feelings and unresolved issues. He quickly reconnects with Zoe Slater, sparking concern from Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace), who warns Zoe to stay away from him. Despite the warning, Max’s attention soon shifts to Stacey, his former flame. “Max is focused on Stacey, and follows her home,” reports Radio Times. What transpires between the two remains shrouded in secrecy, but the encounter is sure to have lasting consequences for both characters.
Stacey, meanwhile, is facing her own crossroads. At the start of the week, she’s torn about whether to uproot her life and move to Brazil. She tries to persuade her daughter Lily (Lillia Turner) to join her, but Lily is adamant about staying in Walford with Charli. With her family divided, Stacey finds herself swayed by the opinions of those closest to her. Jean and Mo initially convince her to stay, leading to a heartfelt announcement at her leaving drinks at The Albert. But the decision doesn’t stick for long. As the week unfolds, Zoe and Lily manage to change Stacey’s mind, and she finally relents, agreeing to leave Walford for a new start in Brazil.
Yet, as Stacey prepares to say her goodbyes, her departure is overshadowed by the chaos of the wedding and Max’s return. Lauren, caught between her father’s sudden reappearance and the prospect of marrying Peter, is left reeling. The tension between Lauren and Max quickly comes to a head, culminating in a heated argument. “Lauren orders her dad to leave Walford once more,” notes Radio Times, highlighting the fraught relationship between father and daughter. Whether Lauren will go through with the wedding remains uncertain, especially with so many unresolved emotions swirling around her.
Elsewhere in the Square, Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) is determined to confront Max about the past. Upon learning of Max’s return, Cindy heads to The Vic to confront him over the death of her son Steven (Aaron Sidwell). The confrontation is intense, and it’s clear that Cindy is seeking answers—and perhaps a reckoning—for her loss. As Mirror reports, “Cindy is left reeling as she heads to the Vic to confront him about killing her son Stephen.” The fallout from this clash is sure to reverberate throughout the community.
But Walford’s drama isn’t limited to family feuds and wedding jitters. A criminal subplot involving Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), Okie Okyere (Aayan Ibikunle Shoderu), and Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway) adds a layer of danger to the week’s events. After a recent drug run goes awry, the trio find themselves targeted by a rival gang, putting Kojo Asare’s (Dayo Koleosho) flat at risk. Harry, hoping to deflect attention, ignores the gang’s presence, but the situation quickly escalates. Kojo returns to discover that Okie has been attacked, raising the stakes for everyone involved.
Amid the chaos, Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington) steps in to protect her son Harry from Ravi’s manipulation. She threatens to expose Ravi’s actions to his superiors if he continues to pressure Harry, signaling that the Mitchell family is prepared to fight back. Meanwhile, Harry tries to maintain his relationship with Gina Knight (Francesca Henry), even as he gets caught up in the criminal fallout. The drama around the flat, and the threat of further violence, keeps tensions high throughout the week.
Other residents are grappling with secrets of their own. Kathy Cotton (Gillian Taylforth) grows suspicious of Callum Highway’s (Tony Clay) increasingly close relationship with Johnny Carter (Charlie Suff). With Callum’s marriage to Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) already on shaky ground, the possibility of an affair threatens to blow things wide open. “Kathy may be about to uncover Callum’s cheating in upcoming scenes,” according to Radio Times, setting the stage for more heartbreak and betrayal.
Even the newcomers aren’t spared from the Slater family’s antics. Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), a recent arrival, finds herself at odds with the Slaters after demanding they pay for their drinks upfront at The Albert. The clan, celebrating 25 years on the show, prove they haven’t lost their mischievous edge, leaving Jasmine to wonder if she can keep up with Walford’s most notorious family.
With so many intertwining storylines, this week’s episodes of EastEnders showcase the soap’s signature blend of high drama, emotional stakes, and unexpected twists. Whether it’s Max’s tumultuous return, the fate of Lauren and Peter’s wedding, or the looming threat of gang violence, Walford’s residents are in for a week that will test loyalties, expose secrets, and change lives forever.
As the credits roll each evening, viewers will be left eagerly awaiting the next revelation—because in EastEnders, the only certainty is that nothing stays quiet for long.
